Upon the unofficial start of summer, as daylight stretches longer and temperatures rise, most of us tend to become more active—gardening, home projects, hauling, lifting, bending, hitting the pool or the beach, hiking, running, pedaling and paddling and—if we’re lucky, adventures that have us exploring but also doing a bit more than we’re used to. Consequently, especially if you’re a klutz like me, this very often results in a lot of not just doing, but over-doing, and then? We hurt.
Not surprisingly, we sell a lot of Muscle Mender this time of year.
What is Muscle Mender, you might ask?
Almost 25 years ago, it began as an herbal sea salt bath soak I’d made to help ease the aches of stiff or overused muscles. One of my spa clients—the lead therapist at a wellness center I worked with—absolutely loved it. She asked if I could turn it into something she could use for a new sports massage and deep tissue treatment she was developing. I told her I’d actually been sketching out ideas for a muscle balm. Without missing a beat, she said, “Then make it.”
So I did.
I went back into my notes and my apothecary mad scientist mode and got to work developing my Muscle Mender Massage Balm.
As someone who’s always been a little accident-prone—and who’d relied on arnica since my late teens—I knew exactly where to begin. Arnica montana, rich in helenalin and other sesquiterpene lactones, is one of the most effective herbs I know for soft tissue recovery, especially when used correctly. I paired it with comfrey, known for its allantoin content and long history of helping support tissue regeneration.
But I didn’t want this to be a one-dimensional product. I wanted layers. I wanted it to feel like something was really happening—not just a surface tingle, but a sense of real support. So I created a base from slow-infused herbs and rich botanicals, designed to absorb beautifully and deliver the actives deep into the tissue.
From there, I built on that foundation with a very intentional blend of essential oils—chosen not for scent or trend, but for how they support circulation, muscular relaxation, and recovery. I added naturally derived cooling elements for fast relief, without the sting or synthetic harshness. The result turned out beautifully—clean, herbal, and medicinal, but pleasant and never overpowering. The scent wasn’t the goal, but it was a welcome outcome.
I made it to meet her needs. And it worked.
It worked so well, in fact, it quickly became our single best-selling individual product and it has held that position for over 20 years. And I am proud of that.
But what’s meant more to me over the years isn’t just that it became our best-selling product—it’s that it’s quietly helped so many people. I’ve heard from customers in every stage of life, sometimes decades apart, telling me how much it’s meant to them. That’s the real honor.
In recent years, I’ve seen the name Muscle Mender show up on other products online. Some may be well-intentioned; some, frankly, are not. Either way—they’re not mine. And the formulas are not the same.
I don’t usually call attention to that. But I’ve received enough emails now from longtime customers who tell me they tried others... and came back. They could feel the difference. Ours still worked better.
And I believe them. Because I’ve poured decades of practice, hands-on experience, and plant knowledge into this formula. I still make it the same way I always have: by hand, in small batches, using real ingredients that respect the body’s natural processes. Every element plays a role—encouraging circulation, easing tension, supporting recovery—not just masking symptoms, but helping your body do what it already knows how to do.
So for the record: this is the original. And it’s still one of the products I’m proudest of.
You don’t have to be an athlete to need support. You just have to live in a body. And sometimes, bodies hurt.
Muscle Mender was never about trends or packaging. It was about making something real for people who needed it. That’s still the case today.
Whether you’re an athlete, a massage therapist, a gardener, a weekend warrior, a caregiver, or simply someone with an aging body that creaks a little more than it used to—this balm was made for you.
If you’re recovering from a workout, a long day on your feet, an old injury flaring up, or just a weekend of too much yard work—Muscle Mender is here to help.
It’s not a miracle cure. But it is kinda magical. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
If you’ve never tried it, now might be the perfect time.
And if you have? You already know, and I thank you so much for making it such a beloved product over the decades.
Explore the Full Muscle Mender Collection
Whether you prefer a warming soak, a deep-tissue balm, a silky massage oil, or the ease of a twist-up stick—there’s a Muscle Mender for every kind of ache.
See the full collection here »